Senate President Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� Escudero (L) and Vice President Sara Duterte (R). | PHOTOS: Senate PRIB and official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Catholic Bishops鈥� Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said on Tuesday that delaying the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte would be a betrayal of the 1987 Constitution and public trust.
Noting that he was speaking from the 鈥減erspective of the Church鈥檚 social teaching,鈥� David emphasized that the Senate鈥檚 duty is not optional, as it is a mandate 鈥渁rising from the principle of checks and balances.鈥�
鈥淭o delay, dismiss, or ignore such a process for reasons of political convenience is to betray the Constitution and the people鈥檚 trust,鈥� David said in a statement.
READ: Archbishop Soc Villegas says delaying Sara Duterte trial 鈥榠s grave sin鈥�
The Kalookan bishop added that since senators are 鈥渟tewards of public office,鈥� they are 鈥渘ot only answerable to the law but are also bound in conscience to act with integrity and impartiality.鈥�
He also emphasized that the impeachment process, though political and quasi-judicial in nature, should not be exempt from the moral demands of truth, justice, and accountability.
鈥淲hen politics serves only partisan interest, it degenerates into manipulation; but when it is guided by conscience and the common good, it becomes a noble service,鈥� David added.
He then pointed out the Church鈥檚 teaching that political authority must serve the common good, adding that public officials must not act based on their political interests, but in the pursuit of justice and truth.
鈥淲e appeal to all senators, especially to those in leadership, to allow the constitutional process to proceed without obstruction,鈥� he added.
Senate President Francis Escudero took his oath on Monday as the presiding officer of the impeachment court. The senator-judges are set to take their oaths on Tuesday afternoon.
READ: Escudero takes oath as presiding officer of Sara Duterte trial
The Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court on June 11. The presentation of charges against Duterte by the House prosecutors is also scheduled for the same day.
The presentation was originally set for June 2. Escudero explained that the schedule was moved 鈥渢o allow the Senate to tackle priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns.鈥�
Several universities and civil society organizations have called on the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial. This includes a prayer vigil led by Tindig Pilipinas, scheduled from June 9 to 11./mcm